Expression and modulation of LL-37 in normal human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells, and inflammatory skin diseases

J Korean Med Sci. 2005 Aug;20(4):649-54. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.4.649.

Abstract

Defensins and cathelicidins (LL-37) are major antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of the innate immune system of the human skin. In normal non-inflamed skin these peptides are negligible, but their expression can be markedly increased in inflammatory skin disease such as psoriasis. We designed this study to identify the expressions of LL-37 in normal human keratinocyte (NHK) and HaCaT cells after exposure to stimulants and to investigate difference of LL-37 expression accompanied with cell differentiation status, and come to understand difference of susceptibility to infection in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Expressions of LL-37 in NHKs and HaCaT cells were evaluated by using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining at 6, 12, and 24 hr post stimulation after exposure to Ultraviolet B irradiation and lipopolysaccharide. And expression of LL-37 in skin biopsy specimens from patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. In time-sequential analyses of LL-37 expression revealed that LL-37 was expressed in NHKs, but not in HaCaT cells. IHC analysis confirmed the presence of abundant LL-37 in the epidermis of psoriasis. Therefore we deduced that expression of LL-37 is affected by UV irradiation, bacterial infection, and status of cell differentiation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / analysis
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / genetics*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cathelicidins
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Defensins / analysis
  • Defensins / genetics
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Keratinocytes / cytology
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Skin / cytology
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin Diseases / genetics*
  • Skin Diseases / metabolism
  • Skin Diseases / pathology

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Defensins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cathelicidins